Couper Fosvik, 23
Field Account Manager
Viking Electric
Couper joined Viking Electric in June 2021 as an intern and was quickly promoted to an electrical distribution trainee, where he spent five months before being promoted to account rep. “After a year and a half in the AR role I was promoted to my current role of field account manager,” he noted.
“I arrived in the industry through a reference from a close family friend, and I quickly knew that this was the place for me,” recalled Couper. “The people in this industry are what sets it apart from the rest. As a new hire, the support I received from this industry was unbelievable. I’ve been given more opportunities to grow than I ever could have imagined. What keeps me interested is constantly learning more about the different parts of our field and working with various people to create solutions for my customers.”
Asked about a challenge facing the industry today, Couper pointed to the shortage of workers. “This is a problem from the manufacturer to the end-user and it has caused some real headaches,” he noted. “I feel that I have taken that challenge and turned it into an opportunity for myself to advance quickly within my company by proving that I will do anything to get the job done. In my current role, the labor shortages at our manufacturers have created huge lead times, and it’s my job to explore every option to find a way to get things up and running. There is usually something you can do to alleviate some pressure when it comes to lead times.”
Couper’s next career goal is to be a general manager of a Viking Electric location. “I am preparing for this role by constantly trying to learn,” he said. “I am always asking questions, even if the topic does not pertain to my job directly.”
What would Couper tell someone just entering the industry? “Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities,” he said. “If you are looking to advance in your company, make sure that management knows that you are looking to do so. If you never ask for opportunities, they may never come your way.”
Outside of work, Couper spends time bowhunting, fishing—“or preparing for them,” he laughed. “I also love the game of hockey, and I do color commentating on the radio for a local High School team the Chippewa Falls Cardinals.”
Each year tED magazine recognizes 30 of the industry’s best and brightest under the age of 35. Please visit tedmag.com/30Under35 for nomination information and updates about the 2024 program. Questions can be sent to tED Editor Misty Byers at mbyers@naed.org.
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